Walid Kamal Abdelbasset, Saud M. Alrawaili, Samah Alsaid Moawd, Shereen H. Elsayed

Abstract

Background: Chronic Obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the most common reason for the increasing rates of mortality and morbidity among the elderly population. Different therapeutic modalities are required to improve pulmonary functions and aerobic capacity in COPD patients.Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the influences of twelve weeks of endurance exercise on respiratory functions and aerobic capacity in obese elderly people with COPD.Design: 40 elderly subjects with moderate COPD were enrolled in this study. Their age ranged from 60 to 70 years and body mass index (BMI) was 30 to more than 40 kg/m². Study participants were allocated into 2 groups (endurance exercise and control groups). The endurance exercise group (n=20) received endurance exercise 3 sessions weekly for 12 weeks with traditional medications while control subjects (n=20) conducted traditional medication with no specific exercise program for 12 weeks. Pulmonary functions, 6-minute walk test, and Borg score were assessed pre- and post-intervention program. Results: After completing the 12-week intervention, the findings displayed a significant reduction of BMI and betterment of the pulmonary functions, 6-minute walk test, and Borg dyspnea score in the endurance exercise group (p<0.05) while non-significant changes in control subjects (p>0.05). Assessing the differences between the two groups displayed significance between the two groups in better turn to the endurance exercise group (p<0.05).Conclusions: It was concluded that endurance exercise lowers BMI and increases pulmonary functions and aerobic capacity in obese elderly COPD people. Controlling obesity is directly associated with improving pulmonary functions and aerobic capacity in the elderly with COPD. Endurance exercise should be recommended as an imperative element of respiratory rehabilitation among individuals with respiratory disease, particularly elderly COPD patients‎.